The Saturday Boy

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the slow, grinding anxiety of a parent's long distance absence, particularly during a military deployment. It speaks directly to the kid who feels like they are holding their breath until a loved one returns safely. Derek is a ten year old boy navigating the complexities of middle school, from shifting friendships to playground bullies, all while his father is flying helicopters in Afghanistan. The story captures the unique weight of waiting for the 'Saturday letter' and the fear that life might change forever in an instant. It is a deeply empathetic look at a boy trying to keep his world together when the most important person in it is thousands of miles away. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's private worries while offering a realistic, hopeful path through loneliness.